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Kelly
Welcome to the carpool podcast with Kelly. Brought all three of my big kids in the room. And I said, who cut off Libby's ponytail? Because, guys, when I'm telling you, like, the rubber band was intact, like, it was a clear cut of the ponytail. And Liz.
Liz
But I'm like, can we just, like, not call out other people and try to make people feel bad? Like, we're already all trying our best to, like, make it through. Can we not make people feel bad for wearing biker shorts to the park?
Kelly
Your mom time off starts now. Welcome back to the carpool podcast with Kelly and Liz. Mom told me the other day, Liz, she goes, I could just tell you girls had your sparkle back. She's like, you know, Liz was sick and then you were sick. And I'm like, so the podcast has been sucking. She's like, no, no, no. She's like, I could just. You guys were both like. It was like our last two episodes. She's like, you girls just felt back. I'm like, thanks, mom. That's good to hear.
Liz
We have really been kick down slightly, but we're on the up and up.
Kelly
Totally. So kind of a big week for the people. It's Teacher Appreciation Week nationwide. I thought this was just my school's thing. And it's Nurses Appreciation Week. Don't love that they're on the same week.
Liz
Okay, yeah, sure.
Kelly
Hell, like, who is in charge of all these days? National days, national weeks. Like, get it together. If I had my way with that calendar, I would make such different decisions, you know?
Liz
No, that isn't. That is interesting.
Kelly
And are we sure the teachers want. The teachers and parents want to be doing this in May? Like, isn't there another month where this would also make sense?
Liz
Well, it also kind of feels like. Yeah, it feels a little late in the game. It's like you're saying goodbye to this
Kelly
teacher, which maybe it's like, we've appreciated your hard work this year.
Liz
Sure. And depending on how much we've appreciated your hard work. That depends on what I'm giving you.
Kelly
I'm very generous to my teachers, I'm sure, because I love my kids teachers. I love my kids school. And something that our school did, which I feel like this is not the norm, but I guess our teachers do lunch and recess duty. Okay, but don't you remember, like, when we were in grade school, like, there was recess in lunch Moms.
Liz
Yeah. The parents did it. They had a volunteer to do it.
Kelly
So during Teacher appreciation Week, all the parents signed up to work either a lunch Or a recess or I guess the parents who did it. And it did just get me thinking. Like, I could do this once or twice a month to give the teachers some reprieve. Like, literally, the preschool teacher during recess was like, well, I'm gonna go take a walk and listen to my audiobook. And I'm like, you should definitely do that.
Liz
You need a break. Like, your job is so hard.
Kelly
So I worked today. I worked both lunch and recess preschool. It didn't work. I couldn't work one of Georgia, like, a shift for Georgia's class. But I was able to do Hatties. And in another life, I would have loved to have been a teacher. And I think I would have been an excellent teacher.
Liz
No, you would have been.
Kelly
And that's not me. Say that. I know the job is incredibly hard, but I do, like, kind of to do hard things sometimes. And I just really enjoyed doing this today. And, like, there was one kid in the preschool who's like, kind of just. He's probably the troublemaker. He was my favorite one. I was like, I love that kid.
Liz
You get kids.
Kelly
I totally get kids.
Liz
You get kids. No, it was nothing better than, like, when mom would work the lunch shift and, like, you would get to see your mom in the middle of the day. It was so fun.
Kelly
I know. It was so fun. So today was a blast. I loved doing it, and I loved seeing Hattie interact,
Liz
like, in the wild. Yeah.
Kelly
Because, like, I feel like George is the same with me as he is with his friends. Like, I just kind of think George is like that. But how do you. I don't always know about that one.
Liz
Yeah, no, it's so interesting.
Kelly
So that's what I've been up to today. And then I have just been doing my teacher gifts. I don't know if you saw my story. I'm. You know me. I am normally one just to kind of throw money at a problem. Not necessarily, like, do something creative. But I found these little plastic clear apples, and I filled them with confetti paper, red candies, and red related gift cards. And then it comes with a little green step, and it's darling.
Liz
It is cute. The gift card. I feel like that's a really, like, safe idea.
Kelly
Oh, here. No, I'm not. I know you don't need another cup or a tumbler or like a thing with my kids face on it. Like, I'm not doing. I know you just want the gift card, and I wanted to bring it to you. Well, and I know that I wanted to bring it to you in a cute way. Yeah, but I. Yeah, I'm. I am self aware enough to know you don't want something homemade from me. Like it's, here's a gift card.
Liz
Yeah, totally.
Kelly
But I also didn't want to do Starbucks. I feel like they always get Starbucks gift cards. So I did Jersey Mike's and Chick
Liz
Fil A. Oh, good ones.
Kelly
Just like lunch on us, you know, lunch on the stumpies.
Liz
Cute. Very cute. Well, I had a. Are you done with. With teacher appreciating? I don't have anything to add to that conversation.
Kelly
Yeah, I am completed with that conversation. Go teachers.
Liz
I had. This is really exciting. I do not talk about my solo parenting weekends, but with the exception of COVID since I've known Maddie, he has been gone for one weekend a month, every single month.
Kelly
Which, but I'm telling you, when you're living it, no offense, it feels like every other weekend. Like I feel like he's like, I swear he's always out of town.
Liz
So Maddie's in the reserves. When we met, he was in the reserves and then he on active duty to do a year long deployment. When he came back, he got back into the reserves and he's been in. Been it, been in it ever since. So what that means is he leaves one weekend a month to go do some marine stuff and then also occasionally he'll have to be gone for like a month, like two weeks to a month a year. In addition to the one weekend a month right now he just. This past year he just started a new job or something in the reserve. So he's doing a marine corps. He's doing a school schooling for two years, which means he gets summers off. So he just, he was gone this past weekend and now he does not have to be gone again until like September whenever the school picks back up again. So I'm going to have my husband home every weekend all summer, which is crazy. Think about it. Every single weekend that I've known once a month, one weekend a month since I've known him, he's been gone.
Kelly
And when he was doing school, he was gone a weekend a month too.
Liz
Oh yeah. And when he was getting. He was also gone one weekend a month. And when he had to be gone for two weeks with no contact happened to be the time that we moved houses and I had James and I was pregnant with Sloan. I had to literally close on our house, move out of our house by myself because he was like gone doing marine stuff, literally in the desert, unreachable. So I Don't talk about this stuff a lot because I don't want to put on the Internet when my husband is not home. But I'm very. I'm just very happy for me. And I wanted to talk about what I did on Friday night with my solo parenting, and I went to the mall with my kids.
Kelly
So let's back up a second.
Liz
Okay.
Kelly
Liz called me, and I was like, what are you doing this weekend? And she's like, a little bit of this, a little bit of that. She's like, I have to get to the mall, so I'm gonna do that at some point. And I'm like, go to the mall tonight. Go to the mall tonight. Hit up the food court.
Liz
Like, good call.
Kelly
We've. Maybe this is an us experience, but we have been sleeping on malls, taking children to the mall.
Liz
I have been so. I never considered taking my kids to the mall. I almost ran that errand during the day when I had childc. I was like, I have to make this return to Lululemon. But then I was like, I've got. I have too much to do at home. I can't. I can't make this return. But then you were like, just go. I'm thinking, go to the food court, make my return. What? We're fed, My kitchen's clean. The return is made. It's fine. I didn't realize the mall is the place to be with kids.
Kelly
It's the indoor place to be our mall.
Liz
And I think a lot of malls have, like, a little small play area, which, like, my kids the toddler's age is just perfect little play area. The food court was great there. You know, you do have to sneak past a Build a Bear and a Lego store, and you got to get past those things.
Kelly
Yeah.
Liz
But the only place that we spent any money was Barnes and Noble, which I also didn't know Barnes and Noble is the freaking place to be as well, with kids. Huge kids section. And they have, like, puppets for the kids to play with and, like, a stage for, like, story times. But, like, my kids just kind of. We read some books. We bought. Like, I do think if you're gonna go to Barnes and Noble and you're gonna, like, go and read books, I
Kelly
do think you gotta buy something.
Liz
You should buy something. It's not like the library where, you know, we did read some books that we didn't get. But I'm testing it out, you know, had a great time. Spent hours at the mall, Killed my entire evening.
Kelly
Yeah, I should take my kids to the mall. And I. I do feel like there's a time, like, I feel like James and Fred are miserable to, like, walk past a Lego store. But, like, George and Hattie now are old enough where it's like, we have the conversation in the car and, like, they don't ask about it, or they bring their wallets, and if they have the money, they have the money. Like, that wouldn't. They'd be fine with that. Fred would throw a fit. Libby would throw a fit, too. But if you can avoid those stores, like, it's also just so much to look at. There's so much people to look at. I actually like my kids to look at people sometimes, too. Because sometimes I think it's important for them to, like, see what other people look like, what other families look like. Like, I just think that's all very important for children.
Liz
Yeah. It's kind of like a socialization thing. It's just like, getting out into the
Kelly
world, like, smiling, like. Yeah. Get. Literally getting out to the world. I think sometimes, like, I think about Fred and Libby. You know, they stay here during the day, and there's days where I'm just like, we should get you to look at people who don't just live in this house.
Liz
Totally. You know, the mall is the place to do it, let me tell you.
Kelly
I know. No, I'm like, so I haven't been to a mall in forever. And I also have a return that has to be done in person. Long story. Why? Not that long of a story. I got anthropology. I bought something with a gift card online. And I don't know how to, like, but it doesn't fit. So I want to return it. But, like, how do they give me my gift card back? Like, I don't know how to do that. So I just want to go there and be like, give me store credit.
Liz
Yeah. And then pick out something white. Pick out something while I'm there.
Kelly
No, I'm going to. And, like, I don't. Even if I just end up getting candles, if they don't have anything, I like, that's fine. But I bought these shoes. First of all, my feet grew again, I think, unfortunately, like, I'm a size 10, which is so big. I used to be a cute little nine, sometimes an eight and a half. After these kids, my feet just keep growing and growing.
Liz
It's so weird.
Kelly
Has this happened to anybody else?
Liz
Happened to me.
Kelly
Now, one of my feet is for sure a 10. And one of them. I can tell one of my feet is bigger than the other one.
Liz
So annoying.
Kelly
I need to get my little foot thing out and measure my feet.
Liz
Yeah, you do. That's a good idea.
Kelly
It's so weird. It is fine. Like, I can handle a bigfoot. I'm a big girl. I'm tall. Like, I'm fine. Like, I look proportional.
Liz
Yeah, you can carry it.
Kelly
And more importantly, they can carry me.
Liz
No, the problem is, is you have so many shoes.
Kelly
Well, I'll make them work. I mean, I'm fine. Comfort. I mean, it's fine. I'm fine.
Liz
But yeah, okay. So anyway, my takeaways go to the mall and go around a meal time. Go for lunch or go for dinner.
Kelly
Totally.
Liz
Because you know what the mall also has is, like Chick Fil A. You know, they have Panda Express. They got Chick Fil A, they got pizza. Like, it's not going to be necessarily the healthiest night out, but it's like a meal fed nonetheless.
Kelly
I can't imagine. I'm telling you, I have not taken to any to the mall since they were probably James and Sloan's age. Like, literally.
Liz
Yeah.
Kelly
I cannot imagine the look on their faces. I was like, see any of these restaurants? Pick where you want to go. Like, they would lose their mind. Like, if George would get Chipotle and how do you get Chick Fil A? They would lose their minds.
Liz
Oh, and hey, hey, George, why don't you go grab a sample over there? They're handing out for free.
Kelly
They want to lose their minds.
Liz
It was. It was a great. It was.
Kelly
And then it's like, you want a pretzel or ice cream. I'm going to take them to the mall. Maybe this weekend. That sounds actually so fun.
Liz
No, Like a blast. A blast. Thankful they're still near us.
Kelly
Something. I'm. I need some parenting advice on this. And I'm welcome in your opinion, too.
Liz
Okay.
Kelly
So, like, one of my kids is a spender. One of my kids is a saver. But, like, my saver. I'm gonna have you guess which one is which. My saver, borderline has, like, purchase anxiety. Like, Patty's a saver. Yeah, sorry. Like, she can't pull the trigger on anything. Like, she has, I think, like 150 in her wallet. Like, because it's like, I'm telling you, she hasn't bought anything in, like, two birthdays and two Christmases. Like, it's insane.
Liz
Mm.
Kelly
And George has maybe. Maybe five bucks.
Liz
Yeah.
Kelly
But he's like, well, my birthday's around the corner. I'll get more money.
Liz
That,
Kelly
and there's a time Where I'm like. And how he's like, was it better to save? And I'm like, there. Some of it. But also, like, you know. Yeah, you can buy something if you want. Because then, like, George is always walking out with something, and Hattie is never. And I don't know how to, like, get this, like, buying anxiety out of her.
Liz
There's like. There's a. Yeah. It's like, you don't. You do want to be cautious about the money you spend, but you also, like, don't, like, miss opportunities. Like, I feel like she always thinks, like, there's something. Something better behind. Behind the curtain. And, like, sometimes there isn't.
Kelly
No. And, like, she wants a giant squishmallow so bad, like, one of those huge ones. And she's got the money. It wouldn't even make a dent. It's like 45. She's. I think she has 200 last time I counted. Well, I think that's 150.
Liz
I feel like you should encourage her to buy the thing that she's been, like, talking about a lot and then see how that makes her feel.
Kelly
Yeah.
Liz
I think that she just hasn't seen
Kelly
how it makes her feel. It almost thinks. I almost think it's time to be like, no, you have to buy something today.
Liz
Yeah.
Kelly
Or you just don't. I don't know. But I'm worried I'm with you, because it's not. I'm worried that she. It's causing anxiety, and I can tell it's causing her stress because, like, we'll go to the store and, like, she gets paralyzed with. With making a decision, and she just doesn't make one.
Liz
Well, then I think she needs to get over the fears. That's what I mean. Like, I think she. You need to encourage her be like, hey, I think this is a good investment. It's something that you've been saying you wanted for a really long time. And I feel like this is a good. Like, I think you need to give her a little bit of validation. Yeah. And tell her that it isn't. It is a good and wise purchase. The giant squashmallow. Um, and then she can maybe see how that makes her feel. And then she can be like, I shouldn't have spent my 45 on that. And then. Then she can live with that.
Kelly
Yeah, then she can live with that. That's a good point. Okay, I'm gonna take that.
Liz
Okay. Yeah. Take them to the mall. Let her go crazy.
Kelly
They're gonna freak. I can't wait. I need to take them. So aside from that, what else did I do this weekend? You know, when you, like, can't remember at all?
Liz
I came over to your house.
Kelly
We always think, it's gonna be so much fun.
Liz
You know, it's so funny because I went over to Kelly's house, and it was almost, like, harder because Fred and James would be playing well together, and then someone would play with a toy that the other one wanted. And then it's like, had they not been together, no one would be screaming. And now they're both crying.
Kelly
Yeah. No, we always think, come over. It'll be so fun. You can have lunch here. And I'm sorry, let's not stop. Because I think it's important to get the kids. But it's never as fun as we think it's gonna be, ever.
Liz
And it's so funny, too, because, like, literally, James and Fred will be like, they love. They love each other. They play well, and then they scream at each other and, like, hate each other. And then three minutes later, Fred's like, hey, mom, can I go Bias house? I'm like, yeah. Do you guys even like it? Like, I'm so confused.
Kelly
Yeah.
Liz
So I can go to your house,
Kelly
and then we're in my house. Oh, but before you came over to my house, as I was, like, you know, trying to straighten up a little bit before he came over, I walked into my sunroom, and I saw Libby's ponytail on the ground. Oh, yeah.
Liz
Yeah.
Kelly
And I screamed, and I brought all three of my big kids in the room, and I said, who cut off Libby's ponytail? Because, guys, when I'm telling you, like, the rubber band was intact, like, it was a clear cut of the ponytail. And I knew. I knew it wasn't George. You know, I had. I had to make everyone even. So I said, george, I don't think it's you. Hattie. Fred, who cut Libby's ponytail? Like, it was one of them. For, like, 15 minutes of me interrogating, they didn't. I didn't do it. I didn't do it. Hattie's not a liar. So I kind of was like, okay, it's probably not Hattie. I'm like, fred cut off her ponytail. Like, I am, like, so mad. He won't admit it. I'm like, there's this baby. Libby does not have the motor skills to take a pair of scissors and cut off her ponytail. There's no way. Then I walk out of the sunroom, catch, catch my breath. Outside of the sunroom, I see a Ponytail cutter. Like a, like a rubber band cutter, which I use to take out Hattie's bubble braids, which I had left in the sunroom the night before after taking out her bubble braids. And Libby took it to her own ponytail and cut off her entire ponytail.
Liz
Sorry, it's not funny.
Kelly
And a couple of things. One mom was like 95 of children. Like, it's not a fun toy. And I don't even know how she knew what it did. I don't even. I can't even believe she thought to put it to her head.
Sponsor/Ad Voice
She took it to her ponytail.
Liz
She saw you doing it.
Kelly
But like, 90 of children would have just, like, it wasn't that fun of a toy. Like, would have just not done anything or they would have had it in their hand and like, maybe try. Like, the fact that she not only attempted it, but was successful at it is insane. And then everyone's like, oh, it's a rite of passage. Haha. It was like, Hattie cut her hair. Like, I've been through this. But here's the problem with this one. She was too young for a learning moment. There was no, what am I supposed to do? She doesn't know what she did.
Liz
Yeah.
Kelly
Like, she wasn't. So I'm telling you, when she's three years old, I will be here again. I'll be here again. Because she will cut her hair and then we'll have the teaching moment and she probably won't do it again.
Liz
Well, and most kids that age don't even have that much hair to do that either. Like, it was just.
Kelly
No. I can't believe I never thought. I mean, I knew that thing could cut hair because they can cut through ponytails, but, like, I just never thought it was a threat.
Liz
Yeah,
Kelly
it's so tough. Her hair looks horrible. She has a mullet.
Liz
Yeah, it looks bad.
Kelly
And you know, she heard me say I wanted to cut bangs, like llangley. And she goes, I'll just do it myself, mom. So I do think I'm gonna go take her in to get bang things. I really do.
Liz
I think you should. I, I respectfully, before she cut her hair, I've been telling you, you need to do that for a while. Her hair is super long.
Kelly
Yeah.
Liz
So. But I'm sorry to hear that.
Kelly
Yeah. So that was kind of like my, that was like the crazy part of my weekend. And yeah, she looks, she looks rough. She looks rough. But we're figuring it. We're figuring it out.
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Kelly
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Liz
about me before we get into other stuff. I'm potty training James this weekend. Yeah, I'm going to start. We tried potty training him around two and a half. Two and a half. And we were living in my parents house during the renovation and it, I, I wasn't prepared. I was overwhelmed. It didn't happen. I gave up. He's going to be three in June. I'm gonna give birth to this baby in August. You know a lot I've been consuming all of the, I'm not buying a book because I'm not gonna read a book but I've been consuming Instagram content by people who are reading the book. And everyone says to do, you know, try the three day method. Three days at home, no pants, get the puppy pads out. Like cover your couches with towels, lots of liquid. So this is like the only open weekend that I have for the foreseeable future before I get too pregnant. So I'm mortified. This has to be the hardest thing you have to teach kid, you know,
Kelly
and it feels like you're not, you're kind of forgetting that I have done this two times. You haven't like called me for advice or like checked in on me at all.
Liz
I have, I've literally, I've talked to you about it today earlier, but it
Kelly
was like I'm doing all these methods, not like what did you do since you've been so successful in years?
Liz
Well, I, I know, I know what you did, which is you told George that you had an orca whale for him if he was successful. Yep. And how he got it done in a day.
Kelly
And friend and Fred's been taking months
Liz
and Fred is not potty trained.
Kelly
So no, Fred's not potty trained. So I, I'm. First of all, let's start with you. I think you're going to be successful. I can tell in your voice you have dedication to this and I think that's what it takes. You know, I'm, I'm, I do think kids, I don't always think you have to wait for till quote unquote, kids are ready. Like I do think this can be, I think he, he has the Ability to understand what's happening. Totally. And I think James likes to make you happy. And I think. I actually think it'll be easy for you. I really do.
Liz
He did randomly ask me this morning. He goes, mom, can we go to the grocery store and buy more diapers? I'm like, why on all the weeks of your, like, you've never once inquired about our diaper stuff?
Kelly
Just say, how about the mall and we'll get underwear.
Liz
I know. And I said, oh, you know, why don't we go buy some underwear? No, I just want to get some new diapers. I'm like, oh, no.
Kelly
Yeah, that's not good.
Liz
I know. So I gotta get on it. Okay, back to you.
Kelly
So, you know, I'm gonna share this because I want to. So Fred has really been struggling with the potty training. And, like, it's been months, and we are making no progress. So Fred. Actually, two things we're doing. One, he has. He has seen a chiropractor now, because I noticed. And I'm actually coming to this. This safe community because I. I honestly would like some advice on this. I noticed when Fred goes to the bathroom in his diaper instead of squatting, like most kids do, like, most kids will go behind the table and squat. Fred lays on his stomach. Like, that's how I know he's doing it. And I thought to myself, well, that's really strange. And, like, we've been trying to get him to go on the potty for months, and I'm wondering if, like, his body's not working that way or if the squatting's uncomfortable. So he's been seeing a chiropractor. Honestly, haven't had much improvement there. You know, I don't know. That was Tyler's idea. And I'm getting him an OT therapy because I think he need. I don't. I think he doesn't squat. And, like, you know how James will always, like, squat and play? Like, James is. Oh, James is a little bird. He's always perched. James is always perched.
Liz
Yeah.
Kelly
I've, like, never seen Fred perch, so. And, like, Fred's not a stubborn kid. He would. He. I think he's equally frustrated, but just, like, something's not happening. And we work on this over months. I've worked with a potty training consultant. They were great, but, like, unfortunately, none of the stuff worked. And I think I need more help.
Liz
Yeah.
Kelly
So my next step is ot, which I am very excited about. Yeah, I think it will be good for. I think it's a good for I think there's a level of it where all kids could benefit from it.
Sponsor/Ad Voice
I agree.
Kelly
But I'll, I'll keep everyone posted. But if anyone else's experiences, like, I wouldn't even describe it as like, like resistant. Like he is frustrated as well.
Liz
Yeah.
Kelly
So my next step has been I'm just trying to get him to go in, to go in his diaper laying down if he has to, but in the bathroom.
Liz
I see. Okay.
Kelly
That was from my potty train consultant, Tinkle and Toot, which I do think was good advice.
Liz
Yeah.
Kelly
So at least like you can go, but you have to go in the bathroom.
Liz
Yeah. I'm just like, really? I'm trying to keep my cool. I'm trying not to put pressure on it. I put too much pressure on it the first time. I just don't. This is just. I'm dreading this aspect of parenthood in a big way. But we will get through it. To keep everyone posted, would love any advice people have because I'm consuming all the content right now.
Kelly
So the next thing is I posted a reel about car reliability and like I'm not gonna. I mean you can go watch the real. Because I've been getting a lot of comments about just like how. Why I never talk about reliability. Like how could you recommend that car where it's so unreliable and like there's so much nuance in reliability. Like it's just, it's because it's the newest buzzword in automotive in my opinion.
Liz
Yeah.
Kelly
Anyway, you can watch my real to kind of figure out my reasonings. But I kind of said something that I just think is like a good reminder for everybody in like so many aspects of life and careers. Like, I'm not an expert in everything. I'm not even an expert in everything auto related. And too many people in the world, too many influencers, too many people with a platform are trying to cosplay as experts in everything because they don't want to sound like they don't know what they're talking about. And like I just have no problem admitting where my shortcomings are. Even when it's in auto. Like, I'm not an expert on reliability. I'm an expert on family cars. Like, I can't be an expert at everything.
Liz
Yeah.
Kelly
But you know what I'm saying? Like, I just think some people will always like give their opinion outside of their area of expertise.
Liz
Well, reliability is also, is also like such a. It's not a very black and white issue.
Kelly
No, there, there's so many reasons why, why I don't cover it. And I kind of said that in the real. But I just wanted to say that I was like, it's just not my area. Like I am a mom of four and I'm a car seat tech. I'm not a mechanic. Like I can regurgitate what consumer report says, but I can't. You can Google that yourself. You don't need me for that. Yeah, like here's my, here's what, here's what you can't Google. Here's what you need from me. And I think it's like normalized. Getting what you need for me and then like getting what you need from someone else. From someone else?
Liz
Yeah. I mean it's a, it's cars especially. It's a very big decision. And while the car mom offers so many great resources, it's still a 40, 60, $70,000 decision that you're making. I do think you should look at other opinions as well and like there's other parts to it that's not just like how will it fit your family? Which is what we cover.
Kelly
But in the same sense, some people put way too much emphasis on reliability and they buy the wrong car.
Liz
And
Kelly
also you have to define reliability for yourself. I think that's the first steps. Like what does reliability mean to you? How long do you want to keep the car for? How long do you need the car to be reliable for? Because like the, and people don't like the statistic. But you have to realize it's most people, the majority of people only keep a car for 36 months. They trade it in. Most people are in the car market every three to four years. So respectfully, for most of my audience, I'm not saying you Sarah, but I'm saying for most of my audience, reliability actually doesn't matter that much because they're not driving a car for 200,000 miles.
Liz
And I think you preach a lot that you don't always think you should because you, right now you are buying such a, you're buying a car for such a specific stage of life, whether that be a complicated car seat situation or you know, you've got kids that play sports or whatever it is, you're buying it for this season of life. And it's okay to own a car for three to four years and then get one that fits your different season of life because again, that's what the majority people are doing.
Kelly
Yeah.
Liz
And so for you to just like, also like you are some of the questions, some of the consultations that you do. They're looking for such a specific car seat set up, such a specific budget, such specific things that if you were to also throw in, like, well, here's what some reliability data says, that's going to dwindle down their list even more. Slash, their list doesn't exist anymore.
Kelly
Slash. No, exactly.
Liz
And what does reliability even mean?
Kelly
No, like, what a privilege to say. And it's really. Whatever. I don't even want to get into it anymore. I'm like, I can't beat the worst. It's not. The problem is it's not this audience, because this audience all has a brain and they understand what I'm saying. They get it. I'm telling you. And Instagram, thank you for the exposure, but I've had some reels pop off, and it's a lot of men. I don't like it. I don't like it. I like the dads. The dads can stay. The men. Get out of here. Speaking of men, my book club meets tonight. I don't know what that has to do with men, but there's men in the book we're reading. So my book club meets tonight. You know, everyone's been on the edge of their seat. Haven't finished the book. I've got about 50 pages left.
Liz
Oi.
Kelly
I know. So I'm gonna finish it this afternoon. My problem is, Elizabeth, something I'm really gonna work on this summer. Like, this is officially on my summer to do list.
Liz
Okay.
Kelly
I can't allow myself to read during the day. So, like, if it's a nap time, I would feel insane to, like, yeah, pick up my book and sit on the couch. But, like, I'll scroll my phone for 20 minutes.
Liz
Totally.
Kelly
Because that feels like. No, no, I'm not gonna be here for very long. And there. Here I am here for long.
Liz
Yeah.
Kelly
If, like, I can't. Like, if I wake up early and, like, it's just George up and whatever, he's watching tv, I can't read my book. I have to start doing stuff. The only time I feel like I have permission to read and I'm not doing an audible, so I can't even, like, do it in the car is once all the kids are asleep and I'm exhausted. I know, but I have so many beautiful places in my house. I would love to read. Like, I have a rocking chair on my front porch. Why during nap time, can I not go out there and read for 40 minutes?
Liz
Yeah. Like, I don't know. I do know. But, yeah, I would feel but it's just.
Kelly
But it's just reading because I do my self care here and there. Like I have no qualms with, you know, taking a shower, curling my hair, taking my time, even like sitting on the couch on my phone. You know, sometimes you'll do that or online shopping. Playing with the book just feels like
Liz
such a waste of time.
Kelly
It's insane, right?
Liz
Well, because I think you can be on your phone and you can start by doing something productive. Like online shopping can be productive or scheduling an appointment. Like you start doing something on your phone and then it leads to doom. Scrolling. Like endless scrolling. But yeah, to like go grab your book. Like sit out. Like, no, that's crazy.
Kelly
Yeah, so I'm gonna work on that this summer. It's kind of like something on something for me.
Liz
That would be good.
Kelly
So is it time for last three transactions? Will we share our recent bank account subtractions?
Liz
Yeah.
Kelly
Have you been transacting?
Liz
Yeah, same a lot. Just place like, you know, the big Amazon order for the potty training coming up.
Kelly
What the heck did you buy, Elizabeth?
Liz
Here's what I bought. I bought some. James loves books, okay? He's a total book kid. So I bought three potty training books because I'm trying to just get him excited about it. I don't have like one of those. I don't have a timer. Like, I don't have a kitchen timer. Like, I just don't have a timer enough. I just feels like I'm at the age where I need to get a timer, like a visual timer for my kids. So I got that and I got like a trap, like a to go potty. Like, I just don't have one of those, okay? So that was my big potty order and some new underwear for James, okay?
Kelly
So I have found my new favorite influencer.
Liz
Okay, get your phone out. I'm literally doing it right now. Her name is called. She teaches fifth.
Kelly
She underscore. Teaches underscore fifth. Her name is Alyssa. She's a fifth grade teacher, obviously. And she does all these like budget Amazon fashion finds. Her content is excellent. And I'm just always looking like, she does a lot of dupes. Like anthro dupes, Free people dupes. And they are. So now here's what I'll say. I haven't. I. So here's why. It's my last transaction. I just placed my first order from her link. I am such an Amazon clothes skeptic. Like, I'm sorry. I just like think that they're all horrible, but I don't know. I could really trust her. She could be pulling my leg. But she's also taller. Elizabeth.
Liz
See, that's what's important, because I can't always trust Amazon links because if you're, you know, five five, it's like you can kind of make things work. I'm seeing if she says her.
Kelly
She says there, she would say things like, they're tall, girl friendly, but then I don't know how. What that means to her. Oh, she's five nine. Okay, nice. But she's so skinny. So, like, also things like, probably just, you know, things work out for those people sometimes clothing wise. But she's darling. Her content is so fun. I honestly just like, love her regardless. Like, she does an excellent job. I can tell the work she puts into it. And I'm excited for my pieces to come. And I ordered two things from her.
Liz
Okay, all right. You know what? You got it from Amazon. Yeah.
Kelly
I think my rule, though is going to be before I'll recommend an Amazon purchase, I think I need to wear, wash, wear and wash it.
Liz
Oh, I agree. I agree.
Kelly
Because that's really what matters to me. And yes, it's cheaper. So, like, I'm not looking for it to hold up for years, but I'm looking to get a. I'm looking to get at least a couple seasons out of it, you know?
Liz
Yeah, totally. I agree.
Kelly
Stay tuned to see what I bought if it passes my wash and wear test.
Liz
Okay. I'm excited to find out. Okay. Something that I have been transacting is I've really been in, like, my, my free people era.
Kelly
Liz, you would like this girl then.
Liz
Yeah, I know. Well, I'm, I'm trying to. I'm trying to find stuff that makes me feel okay. Like, I don't know. So nothing really fits. But I ordered these, like, oversized shirts. I have them now in four colors just because I just feel like I'm like, I wear them with biker shorts and like, sneakers and I'm like, I'm a mom on the go. And it's like an oversized shirt, but it looks like, slightly less frumpy because of the cut and, like, the quality of it, like, being free people.
Kelly
Is it like, long? Is like, longer sleeved?
Liz
I'm wearing one right now.
Kelly
Oh, yeah. That is cute.
Liz
You can. It looks better when I'm standing up. Like, I'm kind of sitting. I. I'm wearing them constantly. I've gotten a lot of compliments. And then I also ordered some, like, sports bras from them because I'VE been wearing like the Lululemon, the Athleta, like sports bras. And those for me right now are just like, I don't know, just like the very like spandexy material or like athletic material. It's just not comfortable right now. And so it free people F.F.P. fP movement or something like that. They have like sports bras that are just different materials that are just like more comfortable but still kind of supportive.
Kelly
These look comfortable. I'm looking at their website.
Liz
I ordered some. I ordered a sports bra from them. Loved it. Ordered two more. I'm very much like, I have not been spending many much money on my clothes lately, but when I do find something that I feel good in right now I am buying it in multiple colors.
Kelly
Well, and I'm happy just to see you like, really go. Full fledged Sporty spice this pregnancy. I just think this is a good. I think it's fine for your summer uniform to be oversized shirt and biker shorts like you're pregnant.
Liz
That's what I'm trying to do. I'm just.
Kelly
I thought of a.
Liz
Go ahead.
Kelly
I thought of a fun pool cover up for you this. This summer.
Liz
Okay.
Kelly
I almost bought it. I almost bought it for you. And I thought maybe she'd be offended. So I wondered about you here first. I think you should get a big oversized T shirt of like a bikini body.
Liz
Oh, yeah, I have one of those.
Kelly
Like, okay, perfect. Like, I think at the lake this summer, like, you should just wear that.
Liz
No, I don't know.
Kelly
No, I think that's fun. I think it's like she's pregnant. It's cute.
Liz
Yeah. I don't know.
Kelly
It's just like, you know, under construction. Atm.
Liz
Yeah, no, it's fine. It's all good. Yeah, like you said, I'm just. I'm sporty and I'm. And I'm.
Kelly
You're a sporty spice. I'm comfortable, which is so important, especially with toddlers.
Liz
Important for me.
Kelly
And you know, your job allows.
Liz
I saw this reel that really rubbed me the wrong way. And it was like how I used to dress and it was like a girl wearing athleisure and she's like, how I dress now or she was. I used to dress like I was like running a marathon or something. Now I dress for motherhood. And she was like. Had all these like cute clothes on. But now you've got all these accessories and stuff. And I'm like, like, maybe that's motherhood with older kids. And like, I can only see motherhood through one lens, which is, like, on the ground, constantly, like, chasing kids, like, on the playground. I just.
Sponsor/Ad Voice
I.
Liz
That's fine. I just don't like the shame of, like, if you wear athleisure, you're not dressing properly for motherhood, or you're being lazy or you're doing one of these things like this. It is a contact sport, actually. For me at least.
Sponsor/Ad Voice
Yeah.
Liz
It is marathon training right now. And I just. I don't know, maybe just, like, I centered myself too much in that content, but I'm like, can we just, like, not call out other people and try to make people feel bad? Like, we're already all trying our best to, like, make it through. Can we not make people feel bad for wearing biker shorts to the park?
Kelly
I don't think they're trying to make you feel. Maybe they are, but I also think some people just trying to make themselves feel better, and they're making themselves feel better by dressing up and saying, like,
Liz
And you're. Oh, you can't. Oh, you don't have time to shop and curate all these outfits like, I do. Oh, you. You don't. You're not gonna put a chunky necklace on to go to the park?
Kelly
Wow, that's some mom's self expression.
Liz
Oh, I know. Sorry. It just hit me the wrong way.
Kelly
That's okay. That's okay. You're definitely. You're definitely centering yourself, though.
Liz
Okay.
Kelly
As George would say, don't yuck their yums, but they're yucking your yum, so maybe it's insane.
Liz
It's like. That's fine. Just.
Kelly
Do you. Do you.
Liz
There's not enough of that. See, now I'm lashing out at her because I feel attacked, and I don't know her, and she looks really cute. Not gonna lie.
Kelly
Maybe you should take your advice. Okay. Next thing I bought was I am on my fairy garden grind. So we bought. We have a place at our house that's, like, just, like, one singular tree. My husband ripped out all of our landscaping when we moved here, and he refuses to replace it. It's a. It's a. Honestly, a really big pain point in my marriage right now. But we have one little section I didn't let him tear, and that is our fairy garden. And I wanted to do that. I did this last year because I wanted, like, had you to have, like, an outside thing. The kids love it. The kids love it. So I bought another house off Amazon, which, I don't know, I need to find. I need to get to my butt to like a tractor supply? Yeah, because this was a $26, which was like, definitely more than I wanted to spend. But the kids love it. I don't know, I was looking for like a 12.99 option and I just like, couldn't find that. But you know, this might be an in person tractor supply thing. But anyway, I'll be posting my fairy garden updates because it is such a fun outdoor thing to do.
Liz
And a fairy garden is like something anyone can do.
Kelly
Like, you don't have to.
Liz
You don't have to have.
Kelly
Like, you should probably start yours maybe next summer when someone's a little older.
Liz
Yeah. What do you mean, like mine? Like, you just add to it every year, I guess.
Kelly
I don't know. Sure. But like, you buy like the kids like a house and like a couple of like figurines and then they kind of take it from there. So like they made. Then like they took sticks and twigs. Like, then they made like a fence and like a river and stuff like that.
Liz
Okay, I see.
Kelly
Yeah. No, I like, I love. It's just like outside. It's just stuff that's outside and that gets a little hot. So it's more of like an evening thing. But sometimes I'll be like, why don't you kids go play in the fairy garden? It's like just a little whimsical kind of vibe.
Liz
So. Okay.
Kelly
Love my fairy garden.
Liz
I'm. I'm here for the fairy garden. Okay. Well, then I guess my last transaction, like kind of a common theme. If I like it, I'll buy it in another color. I bought more of these Old navy maternity biker shorts.
Kelly
Good for you.
Liz
Another pair. Another.
Kelly
You need to be linking all this
Liz
stuff, Liz, because I haven't seen you. I linked these. I linked these once, but I've. I linked them once when I first got them and now I've been wearing them constantly. And I only have three pairs, so I'm like constantly doing laundry. So I'm like, I really just need, like, I need five pairs because I wear them every day. They're so comfortable.
Kelly
Well, let's see it. Throw some links.
Liz
Okay. I'm telling you, I'm like, my uniform is this. Is this free? FP Movement? I do not like that name. That's hard for me.
Kelly
It's a bad name.
Liz
It's a bad name. FP movement Sports bra, free people. Oversized tee, biker shorts, shoes.
Kelly
Yeah, first of all, Kizzix came in. They're sponsoring the auto show. They're bringing like, they're like bringing an activation the auto shows sponsors kind of it.
Liz
Yeah.
Kelly
So make sure you get a bunch of the car model show brought to you by Capital One Auto Navigator. We also placed our merch order.
Liz
Oh, yeah.
Kelly
And it is cute, cute, cute. Let's just say it's enough. Let's just say it's an oversized tee that Liz might be wanting to start wearing.
Liz
You know what that is? Another oversized tee that I do wear is the Never say never one. That's such a good one.
Kelly
That's such a good shirt.
Liz
That's such a good quality. That. Such a good loose shirt. I love that one.
Kelly
Anyway, so that could be my last transaction. Because that was the biggest transaction I've made. 500 T shirts. But I'll give you a different one. I bought a fake fern to put in the planter. Yeah, that's right. I'm gonna be in my fake plant grind. You guys. You know what?
Liz
That leads me to such a good point. I have to read this. Mom sent me this because I have fake boxwoods on my front porch, but I do not have any shade on my front porch, so they have really faded. And I told mom cause I noticed she had some fake plants. I'm like, those are gonna fade. And she said, I have the solution. And she sent it to me.
Kelly
You.
Liz
There's a spray that you need to get.
Kelly
Oh, well, the ones that I said said they were UV resistant, so I just kind of assumed that was checking the box.
Liz
Scotchgard. Heavy duty water shield. Repels water. Ideal for out for outerwear, tents, backpacks, canvas, polyester. I don't know. Mom said this is supposed to. This is supposed to keep them. Keep them looking good. Okay. The vinyl stuff or whatever.
Kelly
Maybe I'll take a peek. I would just really love if I could do some planted ferns. Like, I don't think the fake flowers ever look that good. Someone send me a link if they have a good. Because I'm not. I'm not above a fake flower at all. Just like the Amazon listings, like, don't look good, but, like, a fern's a fern.
Liz
Yeah, fern's a fern.
Kelly
A fern's a fern. So I'm really excited that should be arriving today. Actually, it's like the most excited because I can't really put it in the pot.
Liz
Totally.
Kelly
It's gonna be, like the most exciting. It's like the most exciting package I've had. Like, literally tracking Amazon for my phone. Okay, so that's last three. We quickly move on to industry news. But I don't have any you don't, Liz. But here's the thing. It's like, do you want me just to throw crap on the wall or do you want, like, me to only bring you.
Liz
So, yeah,
Kelly
I'll read you a headline, which I only kind of understand what it means. Okay.
Liz
Okay.
Kelly
Honda stretches life cycles of Accord, Odyssey and hrv. After costly EV pullback, American Honda is stretching the life cycles, in some cases by more than a decade as it takes a 15.8 billion dollar hit pivoting away from its ambitious electric vehicle plan. Then it says the Japanese automaker is squeezing more cash from proven platforms while developing more efficient, higher power trains for future of. I'm sorry, like, so it sounds like more of the same. I'm not that smart. I'm dyslexic. And I knew this EV thing wasn't going to work out like this.
Liz
Kel, there's a difference between book smart and street smart. And that's a. That's a street smart thing.
Kelly
I was like, I wish they would just focus on the hybrids. And now it's like headline after headline after headline. It's just so interesting. You can't.
Liz
You can't teach common sense.
Kelly
Okay, while you're ready for just the drive thru, we give you an easy recipe to mix it up to, give you an array.
Liz
I kind of hate this podcast episode.
Kelly
Well, Liz, you know what? Here's what I have to say to anyone, to any of our critiques, okay? You get on the mic two times a week and just talk to your sister and we'll see if we agree with everything you say.
Liz
Yeah.
Kelly
You know what I'm saying?
Liz
Yeah.
Kelly
You're not for everyone.
Liz
No. And also, sometimes. Can I just say, sometimes the things I say on this podcast, like, aren't fully thought out thoughts, and they're just
Kelly
like, nothing on here is meant to be all that serious. That's the thing. Nothing here is that serious and nothing here is forever. This is.
Liz
I mean, most of the opinions that I have on here, like, I would never, like, like, actually plant, like a super strong flower.
Kelly
No, that's fine. Convince me differently. Like, I don't care.
Liz
Yeah, I don't care. I.
Kelly
That's fine. Anyway, we're just having fun. I'm having fun.
Liz
I'm having fun.
Kelly
Okay. It's the drive through where we give
Liz
you an easy dinner recipe to mix it up to get you out of your dinner rut. If you want to mix it up to get you out of your dinner rut, I suggest you go to the food court. The Mall, food court. It's not a drive through.
Kelly
No, it's not technically a drive through, Liz. I. Doing. That's a really good one.
Liz
I do. I think so as well.
Kelly
I'm wondering if other people are going to malls regularly.
Liz
I wonder if. I wonder that, too. I don't know if we just keep.
Kelly
And maybe it's like, Target's not always it. Maybe it's the mall.
Liz
Maybe.
Kelly
You know what's crazy? One time I went to a mall that had a Target attached.
Liz
Where?
Kelly
Dream scenario.
Liz
Where was this?
Kelly
I can't remember.
Liz
Was it a dream, do you think?
Kelly
No, no, no. It was real.
Liz
Okay.
Kelly
It might have been Columbia, Missouri, but I can't say that for sure.
Liz
I don't know.
Kelly
But I would like that. I would like a Target attached to a mall.
Liz
Like, instead of a Sears at the end. It's like a Target.
Kelly
It's like a Target.
Liz
Yeah, no, that's better. Like a super Target.
Kelly
Like, one side should be a Target. I like the Nordstrom. So keep the Nordstrom. A home goods.
Liz
Yeah.
Kelly
Like, give us that. Give us. Maybe we used to be rethinking our anchor stores a little bit, you know?
Liz
Totally.
Kelly
Anyway, back to ditch the drive through. So here's what. I'm just gonna give you three things that I'm making this week. Nothing's groundbreaking, but maybe you could pick one of the three for tonight if you're looking for an easy dinner recipe.
Liz
Okay.
Kelly
Okay. Number one, a classic in the Stumpy household. You already know it before I have to say it. I made a chichi pie pie last night, and it was excellent. Everyone ate it. We finished an entire chichi pai pie. George said, mom, this is the best
Liz
thing you ever had. I'm gonna have three plates. Libby.
Kelly
Hooverin. Everyone was loving it.
Liz
I'm so happy for you.
Kelly
Tyler walked up and he goes, you made chicken pot pie?
Liz
I mean, that's like.
Kelly
No, it was like, just. That's. That's it.
Liz
That's the greatest gift.
Kelly
That's all I need.
Liz
That's all I need. Mother's Day this weekend, literally perfect.
Kelly
Everyone likes what I made, but you know what I did, which is kind of a good idea to do with your children or your husband. They do dinner ideas. I said, I'm making your favorite for dinner.
Liz
And then they say they guess what it is.
Kelly
And they. It took George four times to get to chicken pot pie. But the other ideas he gave me was meatballs. My kids love my homemade meatballs. Oh, yeah. I don't make them enough. So I'm making homemade meatballs, and I don't even, like, do the spaghetti with it. We just have meatballs.
Liz
Okay.
Kelly
Like, to me, spaghetti can be on its own. Or I'll do, like, a meat sauce.
Liz
Do you put marinara with your meatballs? No, it's just straight up, all ketchup. Follow meat.
Kelly
I.
Liz
It's like a deconstructed meatloaf.
Kelly
No, it's just a meatball without sauce. It's a mini. I want to make mini meatloaves in muffin tins. I might attempt that tonight because I have the ground beef thawed and I haven't made anything yet.
Liz
And your sparkle is back, so.
Kelly
And my sparkle is back. But I book club tonight, so I think toddler's actually gonna take the kids out.
Liz
I see.
Kelly
Slammed. And then my last one was I made California chicken sandwiches. Speaking of food court. Yes. If you know what an o. Charlie's California chicken sandwich is, then you know it is a thinly sliced chicken breast, provolone cheese, hoagie roll, lettuce, tomato, ranch dressing. Eh, some in western was. And it is. Yeah, wasn't it?
Liz
No, I think it was it Charlie's cheesesteaks.
Kelly
I don't know. We call them California chicken sandwiches. But did everyone hear how I just said it? It is such a delicious sandwich.
Liz
It's not a Charlie's. It's Charlie. It's just Charlie's.
Kelly
Charlie's California chicken sandwich. So good. My mom used to make them all the time growing up.
Liz
Such a good.
Kelly
It's just as easy as a burger. But you're doing it with chicken. But listen to me, like, you have to do the ranch and the thinly sliced. Get, like, shredded lettuce. Get a tomato. Salt the tomato. Don't be gross. And sometimes you can add bacon. Everyone, the crowd goes. What? I mean, the crowd goes wild. Well, we made them the other weekend
Liz
at the farm, and we put sauteed onions and peppers on top of it, which was kind of like a different thing.
Kelly
I didn't like that as well.
Liz
I really liked it.
Kelly
No, I mean, I. It was fine. It wasn't. It wasn't a California chicken sandwich.
Liz
No, it wasn't a California chicken sandwich. But it was kind of like the same vibe, but it didn't. Different profile.
Kelly
Yeah.
Liz
Very good.
Kelly
So there's three days to the drive through. So. We get pizza on Friday. There's your week.
Liz
Bada bang.
Kelly
So, guys, we're gonna wrap this up podcast episode up. Thank you as much. Legend of the carpool podcast. We will See you on Friday, everyone. Have a great week.
Liz
Thanks for listening.
Kelly
Bye.
Liz
Bye.
Kelly
Thank you for listening to the Carpool Podcast with Kelly and Liz. Make sure you're subscribed so you never miss an episode. And if you enjoyed riding with us, tell everybody you know there's room in the car for everyone.
Episode: DON'T SLEEP ON THE MALL
Date: May 6, 2026
In this lively, candid episode, sisters and third-generation auto-industry insiders Kelly Stumpe and Lizz St. John discuss parenting wins and woes, the hidden joys of mall outings with kids, thoughtful teacher appreciation ideas, family financial habits, potty training highs and lows, and the nuances of car reliability discussions. The episode flows with real-life stories, practical mom advice, signature sisterly banter, and some good-natured rants—all through the lens of mothers balancing work, family, and their growing brand, The Car Mom.
True to their promise of combining entertainment, relatability, and practical advice, Kelly and Lizz keep the tone conversational, honest, and humorous. The sisters openly share both personal parenting vulnerabilities and everyday wins, provide actionable tips, and encourage moms to embrace what works for them—whether that's mall outings, gift cards for teachers, buying in bulk, or wearing biker shorts proudly.
If you’re a parent looking for creative family outings, pragmatic parenting hacks, solidarity on the tough stuff, or a fresh, honest take on car shopping for families, this episode is packed with real-life insight and shared experience.
Want more? Catch Kelly and Lizz’s Instagram and YouTube, and let them know your own mall stories, parent outfit rants, or potty training tips for the next episode!